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Korean War memorial reopened in Ankara following renovations
During his remarks, Association of War Veterans head retired Col. Mehmet Şükrü Tandoğan said, “May heroic Turkish soldiers who died during the war rest in peace.” Ambassador Bae said the heroism of Turkish soldiers during the war has laid a stable foundation for the relations of the countries.
Perihan Gökçe, the 82-year-old wife of slain Turkish soldier Naci Gökçe, who was killed during the Korean War, shed tears when she saw her husband’s name on the memorial. Carrying his father’s photo, Ertuğrul Gökçe said his father died when he was 5 months old.
Before the opening ceremony, a delegation including commanders and the national football team of South Korea visited the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Turkish Republic. The group was accompanied by members of the Turkish gendarmerie and military.
Following the inauguration, the football teams of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the Republic of Korea’s military force played a friendly match at Ankara’s Beykent Stadium.
In a statement released on Thursday, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry highlighted the heroism of Turkish soldiers. “Thousands of Turkish soldiers struggling for democracy, freedom and world peace are now commemorated for their heroism that affected the course of the war. More than 700 [Turkish] soldiers were slain during the war,” the statement read.
There also were ceremonies held in Seoul to commemorate the anniversary of the beginning of the war. President Lee Myung-bak presented medals of honor to representatives of the countries that sent soldiers to fight in the war. The ceremony was attended by soldiers, war veterans and ambassadors.
The beginning of the war was also commemorated in North Korea. The state-run news agency issued a story, stating that the war was started by the US and that the US cannot deny responsibility.
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